Selective methanation reactor for reducing carbon monoxide in a reformate stream

A device for the removal of carbon monoxide from a reformate stream, said device comprising a reactor, said reactor comprising:

• a porous ceramic support defining a surface acidity;
• a coating configured to increase said surface acidity;
• a noble metal catalyst coupled to at least one of said support or said coating;
• and
• a flowpath configured to place said reformate stream in fluid communication with at least said noble metal catalyst such that carbon monoxide conversion in said reactor is greater than if said coating were not present.

A device for the removal of carbon monoxide from a reformate stream, said device comprising:

• a ceramic support;
• a noble metal catalyst coupled to said support;
• and
• a flowpath configured to place said reformate stream in fluid communication with at least said noble metal catalyst, wherein said support, noble metal catalyst and said flowpath are configured such that while operating in a temperature regime not in excess of 260 degrees Celsius, selectivity for carbon monoxide in said reactor is at least approximately 60 percent.

A method of delivering fuel to a fuel cell system, said method comprising:

• configuring a fuel delivery system to include a fuel supply and oxygen supply;
• fluidly connecting a fuel processing system to said fuel delivery system, said fuel processing system comprising:
• a reformer to evaporate a mixture of fuel and oxygen coming from said fuel delivery system;
• and
• a methanation reactor for the removal of carbon monoxide from a reformate stream produced by said reformer, said reactor comprising:
• a porous ceramic support defining a surface acidity;
• a coating configured to increase said surface acidity;
• a noble metal catalyst coupled to at least one of said support or said coating;
• and
• a flowpath configured to place said reformate stream in fluid communication with at least said noble metal catalyst such that carbon monoxide conversion in said reactor is greater than if said coating were not present;
• introducing fuel and oxygen to create a fuel-oxygen mixture;
• heating said fuel-oxygen mixture in said reformer such that said reformate stream is produced;
• purifying said reformate stream in said reactor;
• and
• transporting a hydrogen-rich portion of said reformate stream to said fuel cell.

A method of purifying a methanol reformate stream, said method comprising:

• configuring a reformer to evaporate a mixture of fuel and oxygen, said evaporated mixture defining said reformate stream;
• fluidly connecting a methanation reactor to said reformer for the removal of carbon monoxide from said reformate stream, said reactor comprising:
• a porous ceramic support defining a surface acidity;
• a coating configured to increase said surface acidity;
• a noble metal catalyst coupled to at least one of said support or said coating;
• and
• a flowpath configured to place said reformate stream in fluid communication with at least said noble metal catalyst such that carbon monoxide conversion in said reactor is greater than if said coating were not present;
• evaporating said mixture of fuel and oxygen such that said reformate stream is produced;
• and
• exposing at least a portion of said reformate stream to said reactor such that at least a portion of carbon monoxide is removed from said reformate stream.